The next Catholic abuse scandal: Crimes against women

[babylonsister]

The next Catholic abuse scandal: Crimes against women
Coming to light are widespread reports of rapes of nuns -- young women from India's and Africa's poorest families
By Mary Ann Sorrentino


We now know that the sex abuse crimes involving Catholic clergy first reported in large numbers in the United States may have been committed in equally high numbers in Europe. Amazingly, in these two relatively sophisticated places, parents, nuns, teachers and both religious and civil authorities -- Catholic and non-Catholic -- were willing to be blind to the often obvious occasion of sin. And they ignored the Catholic laity in the pews, preferring instead to make deals with Rome, or at least to respect its jurisdiction.

More disturbing, though, is that Catholic leaders continue to trivialize the growing scandal of sexual abuse in Africa and Asia. What started as a hurricane of sex scandals in the First World may well become a tsunami of charges from the Third World.

The rumblings from India and (especially) Africa, where the Catholic Church is seeing its greatest growth, are growing louder. The news from these places exacerbates our shock and concern: The sexual abuse of children by clergy is now coupled with widespread reports of rapes of nuns -- young women recruited from India's and Africa's poorest families.

Sex crimes against women by Catholic clergy may give more credence to ongoing arguments against the celibate priesthood. Daniel Maguire, a now-married former priest and a professor of religious ethics at Marquette University, has wisely observed that "enforced celibacy that is not job-related is such an invitation to pathology."

more...

http://www.salon.com/news/catholicism/index.html?story=/news/feature/2010/04/23/next_catholic_priest_abuse_scandal

[dalaigh lllama]

1. Good grief! What a mess the Catholic Church is!

I wonder how anyone of good conscience could be called to a vocation in it these days. Before practising Catholics take umbrage, I KNOW there are good people in the Church, but really -- how can they attract any more good people with a track record like this?

[dflprincess]

2. Rape is a power trip and not the result of celibacy

These guys knew about the the celibacy vow - it wasn't something that was sprung on them at ordination. Like all rapists they attack their victims because it makes them feel powerful - not because they want to get laid.

[AwakeAtLast]

3. Exactly.

Well said.

[KittyWampus]

4. Celibacy is itself a power trip. Over ones own sexuality.

[marybourg]

5. Some are attracted BECAUSE of the celibacy. It's a socially-

sanctioned cover for the inability to form adult sexual relationships.